video;

[orphne]

[Kotone has never really been one to like... start things. Mostly people told her to join other things, or she followed her friends with their interests. But here, it seems like people are just kind of left to their own devices, so a few days after the return to the forest and the fruitless search for the missing, she's getting antsy. She needs something to do and doesn't really know where to start. So-]

Hello! Um, my name is Kotone Shiomi. I was wondering if anyone was starting up any clubs or anything in town! You know, a group of people with similar hobbies or interests, like a sports club, or a book club, or a gardening club...

One of my friends at school started a sewing club. I think I might do something like that, if anybody is interested! Or somebody, [Shinji,] could make a cooking club and give lessons, stuff like that.

[She holds up one finger as if struck by a sudden idea.]

Oh, maybe if we can get a list of everybody's hobbies, we can figure out what kinds of clubs to make? I just think it's important to have something fun to do with everyone, instead of just always worrying about the weird stuff that's going on. So... tell me about what you like to do!

Comments

Video

[murderingjustice]

Looking for a way to kill time, Shiomi-san?

[orphne]

Yes!

What kind of club would you like to join, Akechi-san?

video

[prophylactic]

[Ah... You know, she'd said she was fine, and going to focus on other things beyond the grimmer thoughts they started to get into the other day, but it's an extra nice confirmation to see her, well, busybody-ing around.]

You joining every club before they even exist? That's a new record for you.

[who said cooking club........ he's deaf suddenly.....]

[murderingjustice]

A book club.

[no he wouldn't]

[orphne]

Yeah, you look like someone who would be in book club.

[What.]

That could be fun, though! There's a library you could use. How does someone even decide which books to read for a whole club?

[orphne]

[She simply took his advice to its logical extreme!]

Maybe not all of them, but it wouldn't hurt to try a bunch of things. You weren't in any clubs in school, were you?

[Even when he went to school, he just doesn't seem like the type...]

[murderingjustice]

[gross, why is she so earnest.]

I've noticed.

Usually books are decided by the group leader to match a theme they've chosen. But here we would have to go in blind.

[prophylactic]

[She's certainly making choices, but they're better than the other ones?? Hmm.]

Nope. Just waited around for Aki to get out of practice, if I stayed at all.

[A guy can loiter around the gymnasium only so long. Anyway, with a sigh:]

You're hinting at something, so just go ahead and say it.

[orphne]

[She drinks a different brand of protag juice.]

A theme... [She taps a finger against her lips in consideration.] Let me guess, you'd pick mystery novels, Mr. Idol Detective?

[murderingjustice]

I'm actually more fan of old western classics and philosophical texts.

[orphne]

I could give you the kind of speech Mitsuru-senpai would give about club activities being essential student experience something-something. Or!

[She rests her chin in her hand and gives him her best smile.]

I think a lot of people in this town really need help cooking. And I think you want an excuse to teach people, right?

[orphne]

Oh! Like...

[Think. Think. Think. Hadn't Dazai mentioned-]

Jung!

[She slept through a lot of class, okay, and that conversation is fresh in her mind still.]

[prophylactic]

[hurk that callout is so much blunter than he anticipated, critical hit--]

I'm barely a student, so that wouldn't work. Who says I want to teach anybody? Y-You're so...

[Correct, frankly, but saying it-!!]

[murderingjustice]

[not what he meant but close enough ]

Like Jung for an example. Although he was more known in the field of psychology. Especially his theories regarding the shadows as unconscious and repressed part of one's personality and psyche was rather groundbreaking.

[orphne]

[She can't help it -- she laughs, a bright, clear sound of genuine joy and also maybe a little bit of mischief. It feels like a long time since she's been able to laugh like that, so maybe he'll forgive her.

Once she's calmed down, she finally answers,] The nice thing about a club is that you can try it, and if you don't like it, you can just do something else.

[prophylactic]

[He absolutely forgives her in a heartbeat, but he still puts in the effort to look "off-camera" and frown like this is a whole big to-do. He's sooo bothered and definitely not pleased she's in a better mood. Hmph, etc.]

You're too much, you know that? [either for delighting in his embarrassment or sampling every club ever, doesn't matter-] Dunno about a whole club, though...

[orphne]

Right, I've heard about that!

[Thank you, Dazai, for explaining all of this to her. She is simply repeating what he'd told her recently.]

It's kind of neat to think about, isn't it? What's your opinion of it all?

[orphne]

[She doesn't believe that grouch for a second, but she'll let him have his appearances. It's the least she can do! Even if she giggles again at his accusation.]

A club can just be a few people. I'm pretty sure Bebe and I were the only ones in Sewing Club, and Fuuka and I were the only ones in Cooking Club, so...

[It can be as big or as small as you want, buddy.]

[prophylactic]

[He's fine, he's fine, he's recovered from being exposed. Mostly.]

I can guess why Fuuka didn't get a lot of club members. [ok ok no getting distracted by bad Fuuka cooking, she's a gem,] ....If I say yes to Cooking Club, don't just come once and then ditch.

[murderingjustice]

It's interesting, yes. And I'd say that there is some truth to it.

[thanks metaverse]

[orphne]

Yeah...

[Listen Fuuka did her best and maybe that was her main problem, but she did do her best and she's perfect as-is.

Instead she places her hand over her heart and beams at him.]

I'll come to every meeting, promise! But that means you can't ditch, either!

[What happened to 'if you don't like it, just leave-']

[orphne]

Oh yeah? How so?

[She's still smiling her best smile, as if none of this is Extremely Interesting at all. It's just a normal conversation!]

[prophylactic]

[Yeah there is a startling lack of "if it sucks hit da bricks" now, suddenly--]

When you say it like that, it sounds like I'm supposed to be in charge. ....You get how that's a problem, right?

[Him, President material?? Terrifying concept.]

[orphne]

[She wrinkles her nose. She hadn't really thought about that part. President Kotone... no. Almost as bad as President Shinjiro.]

I could be in charge if you want! At least if anybody asks.

[Leader 2.0, meaning Shinji can call the shots and she'll handle the socializing.]

[prophylactic]

[Ah, but he doesn't want her to go overboard with her leader-ing, so now they're at an impasse. He thinks about it...]

....I'll let you know. Can't say starting a cooking club in the middle of all this food shit in town is the best timing, anyway.